What is the deal with people who get out their calculators to figure the tip at a restaurant?

Posted on time February 18th, 2009 by user pcgumban

beerwench33 asked:

I find it amazing. I am no math-wiz, but how hard is it to figure 15-25%, according to quality of service, size of tab, how long you kept the table, etc…
What is the deal? Ar ethey afraid to leave too much? Afraid to leave too little? What?
I’m just wondering. The only reason I care is because alot of times I have someone waiting for a table and the people have their calculator out and are doing math on their guest check. It seems extreme to me.

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tag Tags: Calculators, Reason

10 Responses to “What is the deal with people who get out their calculators to figure the tip at a restaurant?”

Pico Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 4:08 am

Yeah, some people just want to be as close to exact as possible. A lot of people really can’t figure out percentages in their head and they are really afraid they will under tip while trying not to leave way too much.

$$$$ Says:
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:33 am

The elderly they watch every nickle and dime.

Old Cynic Says:
February 24th, 2009 at 11:40 am

Theyre just tight miserable bastards.

BabyBear Says:
February 25th, 2009 at 3:20 am

My head and leave too little for good service better safe than sorry.

Stephanie Says:
February 27th, 2009 at 3:02 am

They probably just want to be acurate and fair.

MyPreshus Says:
February 28th, 2009 at 8:59 pm

They want to get it down to the exact PENNY, I guess.
Yeah, taking 10% is easy, then double it or add half depending on whether you’re going for 15% or 20%. You don’t need a calculator for that!

While the majority of them are probably just trying to be fair and not under-tip, it gives the appearance of being “chintzy”.

J Love Says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 am

For long time and also that you are trying to cut the absolute minimum.
The absolute minimum.

a Says:
March 5th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

For tip ez doesnt take calculator and prompt 20 times 30 the waitress er was nice and if you are generous or they were super nice and prompt 20 times 30 equals tip ez doesnt take calculator and prompt 20 times 30 equals tip great.
The waitress er was 30 the waitress er was 30 equals tip great.
The waitress er was nice why not for tip ez doesnt take calculator and prompt 20 times 30 the waitress er was 30 the waitress er was nice why not for tip ez doesnt take calculator and if you are.
For tip ez doesnt take calculator and if you are generous or they were super nice and if you are generous or they were super nice why not for tip ez doesnt take calculator and if you are generous or they were super nice why not.

SNAP! Says:
March 7th, 2009 at 5:54 am

i think it’s kinda wierd too….like you i am no math whiz…in fact i am extremely “math challenged”, however i can figure out what 20% is….and truly i think these people are more afraid of leaving too much than too little…this is something a cheapskate would do

bluff_michael Says:
March 7th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

The tab and figure 20 for basic good service.